Jakarta (ANTARA) - President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo urged his ranks and the regional government to fulfill the needs of refugees impacted by the flood disaster in South Kalimantan.
"Logistics for refugees are important since nearly 20 thousand people are accommodated at refugee camps," President Widodo stated while conducting an inspection of flood-affected locations in Banjar District, South Kalimantan, on Monday.
The head of state pressed for coordination between the central and regional governments to fulfill the needs of refugees.
If there is any shortage of supply in the local government, the central government will help fulfill that requirement.
"The existing deficiencies can be addressed through assistance from the central government apart from the existing logistics in the provincial, district, and city governments," he explained.
On the occasion, the president also urged Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono to mobilize his ranks to conduct repairs of several bridges in Banjar City that were damaged by the flooding.
The flooding caused damage to several bridges in South Kalimantan, one of which is the bridge in Mataraman District.
The bridge had become the people's access to other regencies and cities in the province.
“Several bridges have collapsed as we can see behind this. This is also one of the bridges that collapsed due to the flooding, and I have urged the PUPR minister to complete it within three to four days, so the mobility of goods’ distribution will not be hindered," he remarked.
On Monday, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) undertook a visit to several locations that bore the brunt of massive flooding in Pekauman Village, East Martapura Sub-district, Banjar District, South Kalimantan Province, on Monday.
The head of state witnessed the condition of the village that was still swamped amid continued downpour.
President Jokowi instructed Hadimuljono and National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Head Doni Monardo from atop Pekauman Bridge.
On the occasion, Jokowi was accompanied by South Kalimantan Governor Sahbirin Noor and Banjar District Head Khalilurrahman.
The head of state also handed over various basic necessities, fast food, and masks to several residents in the affected locations.
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